When people purchase homeowner’s insurance policies, a big portion of the coverage that they pay for is premises liability potential. If a delivery worker trips on the way down the front stairs, their homeowner’s insurance policy could help protect them from liability.
Businesses also carry premises liability coverage. Some businesses carry special premises liability policies, while others integrate premises liability coverage into a larger, general business liability policy. Such coverage helps protect property owners from the financial risks that come from people getting hurt on their premises.
What types of situations result in premises liability claims?
Animal attacks
Did you know that if a dog attacks you at a local park, the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance of its owner might cover your costs? The liability that comes from owning an animal is part of what people pay for when they invest in premises liability coverage.
Dog bites and other animal attacks that occur at somebody’s home or at a business typically fall under the scope of a premises liability insurance policy. In some cases, the person attacked by the animal may also have the right to file a lawsuit.
Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall injuries
People can lose their balance for many reasons, including wearing very tall shoes and going out in public while under the influence of alcohol. However, sometimes property owners set people up for injury by failing to maintain their facilities.
Exposed electrical cords, rumpled rugs, unlit stairs and unattended puddles are all examples of risk factors that could lead to people getting hurt and ultimately result in a premises liability claim.
Criminal activity
Both landlords who own apartment buildings and those operating businesses need to take reasonable steps to provide security for their visitors or tenants. Although property owners aren’t always responsible for crimes on their premises, negligent security practices could lead to an insurance claim or lawsuit.
When criminal activity occurs because of negligent security practices, such as failing to light up a parking lot or install security cameras, people who suffer losses and criminal attacks may have grounds for a premises liability claim against the property owner that failed to guard against reasonably predictable criminal activity.
Understanding what falls under the umbrella of premises liability can help property owners hoping to protect themselves from future claims and those who got hurt on someone else’s property.